Developing procedures for chemical and biological control of air quality and for assessing occupational risk in small catering enterprises

Project manager: Joanna Kowalska M.Sc.

Contractor: Lidia Zapór Ph.D.

Project summary:

The task consisted in gathering information on the knowledge of the staff of small catering enterprises on the chemical and biological agents at their workplace. A questionnaire survey that had been developed was used. Tests were conducted to identify those agents in workplace air in selected enterprises. It turned out knowledge was insufficient. Chemical and biological agents were measured in workplace air at the workstation of a cook in seven enterprises. Occupational risk at those workstations was assessed. The results of quantitative measurements of chemical substances in workplace air at the workstation of a cook in all the studied catering enterprises showed the presence of a multicomponent mixture of chemical substances that contained n-hexane, n-heptane, benzene, toluene, xylenes, ethylbenzene and methylcyclohexane. Carcinogenic substances - benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - were found in workplace air in all the catering enterprises. Measurements of biological agents in workplace air in the catering enterprises that were studied showed the presence of 17 species of bacteria that belonged to 9 genera and 13 species of fungi that belonged to 7 genera. A booklet was written on the basis of the measurements of chemical and biological agents in workplace air and current regulations. It contains recommendations on assessing and reducing occupational risk in small catering enterprises and a checklist for analysing occupational risk related to exposure to dangerous chemical substances and harmful biological agents.

Unit: Department of Chemical and Aerosol Hazards

Duration: 01.01.2008 – 30.12.2010